Rev. Ray A. Rosenthal

Reverend Ray Rosenthal passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Norwich Springs Health Campus in Columbus, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Janet Rosenthal, April 5, 2023. Also preceding him in death were his parents, Alvin and Luella (Neihaus) Rosenthal, sisters Shirley Hopper and Marilyn Jean Wrede and brother-in-law Kenneth Hopper.

He is survived by children Kimberly (Lance) Kuhn, Christine (Steven R.) Hungler, Buneka (Chris) Lucas, foster son Rev. Ted (Diane) Kerr. Also, grandchildren Emily Kuhn, Abigail Kuhn, Samuel Kuhn, Austin Hungler, Jake Hungler, Josh Hungler, Jackson Bialecki, Shelby Lucas, Sydney Lucas, Seth Lucas, honorary grandchildren Erica (Rob) Gillette, and Nate Deka. Included in the family are three honorary great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his brother-in-law, Edward Wrede as well as several nieces and nephews. Pastor Rosenthal was born in New Douglas, Illinois, and baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church and confirmed there at age 13. He attended Highland High School in Highland, Illinois, where he was active in baseball and track as well as playing trumpet in the band. After high school graduation, Ray went on to study at Capital University and continued his love of playing baseball for two years. He also worked during those college years at a 7-Up bottling company. He met his future wife, Janet, there at Capital where she was majoring in elementary education. Both graduated in 1962 and were married in June at St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church in Anna, Ohio. They then went on for his continuing education at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Bexley, Ohio. While he was a full-time student, the two of them also were resident hall directors for Schaff Hall during his senior year. His internship was at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Massillon, Ohio. Graduating in June of 1966, he was ordained at Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Douglas, Illinois, by Rev. Maurice White. He then went to pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church, in Ashland, Kentucky. In 1970, he became minister at Faith Lutheran Church in Youngstown, Ohio. He served in other Ohio congregations over the years including New Life Lutheran Church in Youngstown, Ohio, and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus, Ohio. He served congregations of the ALC, ELCA and retired as a minister in the NALC. He returned to serve after retirement at one point serving as an interim pastor at several congregations near Columbus. He also served as a visitation pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grove City, Ohio. Rev. Rosenthal also was in charge of Camp Frederick one summer while he was the board president and they searched for a new pastor to run the camp. Over the years, they both were active in the congregations and enjoyed helping others. Janet taught school in all the Ohio areas and was active in church choirs, teaching Sunday School and going on Mission trips. Ray enjoyed playing softball for a church league and also bowled in a church league in Youngstown, Ohio. He watched baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Buying ice cream for the grandkids gave him pleasure and also playing miniature golf with them at the family vacations at Lakeside, Ohio. He was a member of Kiwanis International and was president of the club. Visitation will be at Schoedinger Norris Funeral Home 4242 Hoover Rd Grove City, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 7;00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 3220 Columbus St. Grove City, Ohio. Memorial gifts may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church for their Accessibility Fund. Visitwww.schoedinger.com to share a memory or condolence